Early Edge

In a bipartisan vote on April 4, 2017, the California State Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Education Finance rejected Governor Brown’s proposal to delay multiyear funding for increased provider reimbursement rates and preschool slots for children. The California Legislative Women’s Caucus also released their Budget and Policy Priorities, highlighting the need to keep the promise to families and early childhood professionals by continuing funding this year.

“California’s successful child care and preschool programs help parents get to work, reduces poverty, closes the K-12 achievement gap and fights crime in our communities,” said Assemblymember Kevin McCarty, chair of the subcommittee. “I am proud of today’s bipartisan work by the Assembly Budget Subcommittee to reject the Governor’s cuts to critical child care and preschool programs and reaffirm our commitment to make early childhood education a priority in California.”

The subcommittee also discussed access to quality early care and education, and heard public comment on the immediate need to provide stability by addressing income qualifications for state support and continuous eligibility to prevent disruption of services. “In order for these parents to provide for their families, they must have adequate access to child care and early education,” said Assemblymember Cristina Garcia, chair of the Legislative Women’s Caucus, in the announcement of the Caucus’ priorities. “When parents cannot find or afford child care, the economy loses valued workers and children miss opportunities to learn.”

We thank legislators for continuing to support quality early learning and the success of children and families.

From here, the Legislature will continue to consider Governor Brown’s budget proposal before he releases his May Revision. Stay tuned for more updates on state investments that count for our youngest learners!